• Dowd on Drinks Bill Dowd Wine beer spirits blog timesunion.com Albany NY

    Updated: 2012-03-31 20:36:34
    CURIOUS? GO HERE.

  • March Mix Madness: The Gin Sectional

    Updated: 2012-03-31 16:32:20
    Instead of us declaring the winner; you break the shaker out yourself and let us know who reigns supreme! ...Read More

  • Making history, and whiskey, at Mount Vernon

    Updated: 2012-03-29 22:26:27
    The distillery at Mount Vernon, VA. (Photo by Bill Dowd) I just returned from another foray into distilling. Not the big commercial distilling, but taking a small part in a historic moment in the industry. Last fall, I traveled to George Washington’s reconstructed 1790s-style distillery on the grounds of Mount Vernon, VA, to help create [...]

  • Making history, and whiskey, at Mount Vernon

    Updated: 2012-03-29 21:56:22
    Curious? Click here. Get upstate-wide restaurant news from the Upstate Restaurant Examiner. And, get a mix of local food and drink news at Notes On Napkins.

  • Cooking up a historic stew in Mount Vernon

    Updated: 2012-03-28 08:01:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120328 Cooking up a historic stew in Mount Vernon Dave Pickerell left and Bill Lumsden proofing the . distillate MOUNT VERNON , VA It was a scene that would drive a credentialed chef mad . Four proud master distillers working elbow-to-elbow in the same hands-on operation , seeking to create one historic concoction . It turned out to be anything but too many cooks spoiling the . stew The occasion was a one-off project to make a Scottish-style single malt whiskey in George Washington's re-created distillery on the grounds of his Mount Vernon plantation this . week This is surprisingly nuanced so early in the run . Is it running too hot now This would be nice over a cube of

  • Journalism

    Updated: 2012-03-27 18:16:47
    The Daily Caller has found Trayvon Martin's Twitter account, and has published his posts. They did this because of journalism and is journalistically relevant. Oh wait. Actually, they did it because they are assholes. This is the Twitter account of...

  • Why Democracy is Precious...

    Updated: 2012-03-27 18:02:42
    Please vote--Is this "Blue Steel" or "Magnum?" Ooor is it some awesome, new look only hipsters (WITH THEIR SKINNY JEANS AND STARBUCKS COFFEE!!!!) know about? If so, what's its name? WHAT? The Founding Fathers were huge "Zoolander" fans! --vacuumslayer

  • Hiram Walker Creme de Menthe Review

    Updated: 2012-03-27 14:40:21
    Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Advertise Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies DIY Cocktails Home Cocktail Blog Hiram Walker Creme de Menthe Review Hiram Walker Creme de Menthe Review Rachel Halpren Tuesday , March 27, 2012 Add this recipe to ZipList Tweet Email Sharebar In keeping with this week’s Mad Men theme , we are reviewing the Hiram Walker Creme de Menthe Creme de Menthe was incredibly popular in the 1960 s and for good reason it’s delicious . It makes me sad that we miss out on so much that is yummy and good by wanting to do the opposite of what our parents and grandparents did . I really think that we lose out on some truly delicious food and drink that way . Sometimes , we are rescued from the error of our ways by a glimmer through the

  • Scottish-American venture a success at Mt. Vernon

    Updated: 2012-03-27 03:34:00
    : . Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120326 Scottish-American venture a success at Mt . Vernon The historic cask signed by Scottish distillers MOUNT VERNON , VA Don't you just love it when a plan comes together and then exceeds expectations That's exactly what happened today at the recreated George Washington distillery here when master distiller Dave Pickerell and a contingent of Scottish distillers began making the first batch of single malt whiskey created here and exceeded all expectations on the first . go-round In the normal course of commercial distilling , the first pass is completed when the heads of the distillate are removed and returned for a second pass through the still to smooth out this

  • Which came first, protest or promotion?

    Updated: 2012-03-24 19:18:00
    : , Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120324 Which came first , protest or promotion Gerber left and . Clooney Getty Images Hollywood superstar George Clooney , was arrested on March 16 for participating in a peaceful protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington , . DC At the same time , folks from his business entourage began talking it up that Clooney has teamed up with pal Rande Gerber , model Cindy Crawford`s restaurateur husband , to create a new line of . tequila Interesting how celebrity arrests and the like frequently coincide with business . ventures The new product will be called Casamigos . Gerber said he and Clooney plan on making the liquor available to all . I'm not sure what that means ,

  • Mexican tequila pioneer dead at 87

    Updated: 2012-03-24 18:57:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120324 Mexican tequila pioneer dead at 87 González Estrada JALISCO , Mexico Julio González Estrada , 87, a prominent figure in the tequila industry , has died at his home in this western Mexican . state In 1951, González Estrada created the Tres Magueyes brand , which later became Tequila Don Julio , one of Mexico's first premium tequila . brands He eventually sold the brand to Diageo in a 150 million transaction . He then backed an enterprise run by two of his sons he and his wife Dorothea Garcia had nine children that made tequila under the label Reserva de los . Gonzalez We are deeply saddened to announce that Don Julio González Estrada , the industry legend and founder

  • Campari America joins DISCUS

    Updated: 2012-03-24 18:45:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120324 Campari America joins DISCUS WASHINGTON , DC The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States DISCUS has announced that Campari America has joined the trade association , composed of most major U.S . producers and marketers of distilled . spirits We are pleased to announce that Campari America has joined the Distilled Spirits Council , 8221 said DISCUS President and CEO Peter H . Cressy . Campari America is a top supplier in the US managing a premium portfolio that includes many popular and fast-growing products in this market , among them SKYY Vodka , Wild Turkey Bourbon , Wild Turkey American Honey , Campari , and Cabo Wabo Tequila . In addition , Campari shares

  • Controversial Scottish distillery gains a step

    Updated: 2012-03-24 18:38:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120324 Controversial Scottish distillery gains a step Checkmark shows . location From the Aberdeen Press Journal Highland Council planning officials have recommended that a controversial whisky distillery on the remote Ardnamurchan Peninsula be approved , despite attracting 52 letters of . objection However , out of 169 representations from the public most from non-residents 105 were in support of the 5 million US$7.9 million development by Adelphi Distillery . Ltd The application has split the communities that line the peninsula , with West Ardnamurchan Community Council supporting the plan and Sunart Community Council which covers the area to the north of the proposed

  • Johnnie Walker says farewell to Kilmarnock

    Updated: 2012-03-24 18:21:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120324 Johnnie Walker says farewell to Kilmarnock Mock funeral mourns the passing of a . factory From BBC News.com KILMARNOCK , Scotland The historic link between Kilmarnock and Johnnie Walker whisky has come to an end after 192 years . On Friday , the last Red Label was bottled at the Ayrshire plant before the final shift clocked . off The world's largest distiller , Diageo , announced in 2009 that it was closing the Kilmarnock facility , where more than 700 people were . employed Some staff are moving to other jobs , others have agreed to severance pay , and 82 are being made redundant . The closure announcement sparked local protests and an angry reaction from First

  • Washington state wine dinner at Taste

    Updated: 2012-03-23 20:26:55
    ALBANY — Taste restaurant plans to go West Coast on your palate. John Freeman, winemaker at the Waterbrook winery in Washington state’s Walla Walla Valley, is scheduled to host a wine pairing dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The informal event will feature different stations with each Waterbrook wine paired with food by executive [...]

  • Saturday pub crawl fundraiser in Saratoga

    Updated: 2012-03-23 20:24:53
    SARATOGA SPRINGS — If you haven’t yet firmed up your Saturday plans, consider a pub crawl for a cause. “Thirsty for the Cure,” a fundraiser to benefit the Hannah’s Hope Fund for GAN, will begin at the Irish Times Pub & Restaurant, 14 Phila Street, at 4 pm. Participants will pay $20 to $25. After [...]

  • A special NY cocktail for Tim Tebow

    Updated: 2012-03-23 20:23:21
    The popular athlete Tebowmania already has struck many parts of New York City, now that Tim Tebow is a member of the NFL’s New York Jets. Doubtless there are hundreds of businesses that would be happy to have the ultra-clean-cut athlete pay a visit. Brother Jimmy’s, a sports bar in the Murray Hill neighborhood, has [...]

  • Catskills bar’s burger named best in Albany region

    Updated: 2012-03-23 20:20:11
    The judges have spoken, and a bar-restaurant’s entry from the Catskills tops ‘em all in the Albany Region of the New York Beef Industry Council’s “2012 Best NY Burger” competition. Curious for more? Go here for all the details. Get upstate-wide restaurant news from the Upstate Restaurant Examiner. And, get a mix of local food [...]

  • A special cocktail for Tim Tebow

    Updated: 2012-03-23 18:48:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120323 A special cocktail for Tim Tebow The popular . athlete NEW YORK Tebowmania already has struck many parts of the city , now that Tim Tebow is a member of the NFL's New York . Jets Doubtless there are hundreds of businesses that would be happy to have the ultra-clean-cut athlete pay a visit . Brother Jimmy's , a sports bar in the Murray Hill neighborhood , has come up with a particularly interesting . enticement It is offering a cocktail called No Sex On the Beach , a non-alcoholic version of the popular drink Sex On the Beach . Here's a recipe for the original cocktail . A non-alcoholic version can be made by skipping the schnapps and vodka and substituting peach .

  • The Hunger Games Are Here!

    Updated: 2012-03-23 04:25:44
    Today marks the much-anticipated release of The Hunger Games movie. If you’re like me, you’ve lost sleep reading the book into the wee hours of the morning, at the expense of the next day’s productivity. ...Read More

  • OK Then

    Updated: 2012-03-23 04:14:14
    According to science, we should let poor children starve to death, because if we don't, they will grow up to steal our refrigerators. Disclaimer robbed from SN: ‘Shorter’ concept created by Daniel Davies and perfected by Elton Beard. We are...

  • CF fundraiser to close out the month in Saratoga

    Updated: 2012-03-22 18:22:30
    SARATOGA SPRINGS — “Saratoga Sip,” the annual wine and gourmet food tasting event, this year will honor Joe Gravini, first vice president with Morgan Stanley, Smith Barney. The event is set for 6 to 9 p.m., with a 9 to 10 p.m. “VIP after party,” on Saturday, March 31, at the The Saratoga Hilton, 534 [...]

  • Garden show wine-tasting preview tonight

    Updated: 2012-03-22 18:07:40
    TROY — If you want to tiptoe through the tulips while tasting wine, your wish is granted. A garden preview and wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the 25th annual  Capital District Garden & Flower Show at Hudson Valley Community College. The show itself will run from Friday through [...]

  • Glen Grant 10 Yr. Single Malt Whiskey Review

    Updated: 2012-03-22 13:17:04
    . Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Advertise Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies DIY Cocktails Home Cocktail Blog Glen Grant 10 Yr . Single Malt Whiskey Review Glen Grant 10 Yr . Single Malt Whiskey Review Jonas Halpren Thursday , March 22, 2012 Add this recipe to ZipList Tweet Email Sharebar This scotch is the perfect spirit for beginning scotch drinkers . It expresses the essence of scotch with its soft nose and palate expressions of dried fruit and kernal flavors , such as toffee , with none of the intensity or smokey peat that may turn off beginning drinkers . This soft and approachable qualities also make it a great scotch to use in cocktails . The Glen Grant 10 Yr . Single Malt Whiskey also clocks at an entry level price at just under 40.   An

  • 2010 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Review – Wine Wednesday

    Updated: 2012-03-21 13:07:31
    Search Home Top Drinks Submit a Drink Advertise Recipe Box Drinks Blog Drink Recipes Wine Cocktail Eats Bar Supplies DIY Cocktails Home Cocktail Blog 2010 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Review Wine Wednesday 2010 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Review Wine Wednesday Rachel Halpren Wednesday , March 21, 2012 Add this recipe to ZipList Tweet Email Sharebar This week’s Wine Wednesday is the 2010 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir and it hails from Marlborough New Zealand . While we receive this wine as a sample , it appears to retail from 9.99 to 17 and at 9.99, just sneaks into Wine Wednesday . There have been many a wine from Italy and Spain featured in the Wine Wednesday column , but not so many from New Zealand . While the wines from New Zealand aren’t overly expensive , they generally don’t fall into the 10 and under

  • Right Behind You, Professor Farnsworth

    Updated: 2012-03-21 11:15:05
    I don't want to live on this planet anymore, either. And, now for some tweety levity, I weigh in on what's really destroying Murka: --vacuumslayer

  • Connecticut closer to Sunday sales OK

    Updated: 2012-03-20 18:38:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120320 Connecticut closer to Sunday sales OK HARTFORD , CT Legislation to end the ban on Sunday alcohol sales cleared a major hurdle today when it passed the General Law . Committee The revised bipartisan compromise legislation allows for alcohol sales on Sunday and certain holidays would allow retailers to own three liquor licenses , one more than now permitted , and a task force to study other potential liquor law reforms . The bill now moves to the Joint Finance , Revenue and Bonding Committee and then on to the full House and Senate where it must be approved by midnight on May 9, the last day of the legislative session . The bill would become effective upon passage for

  • WV spirits tasting bill awaits governor's OK

    Updated: 2012-03-14 18:07:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120314 WV spirits tasting bill awaits governor's OK CHARLESTON , WV Proponents of a bill that would allow consumers to sample liquors at distilled spirits outlets are waiting for the final action needed to implement it Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's . signature The state legislature's action pn Saturday to pass the bill was hailed by the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S . DISCUS States across the country are updating their liquor laws to reflect modern convenience and demand , said DISCUS Vice President David Wojnar , noting that West Virginia joins neighboring states Kentucky , Maryland , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and Virginia in allowing tasting events at restaurants , bars

  • French join the world of whiskey making

    Updated: 2012-03-10 20:15:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120310 French join the world of whiskey making Chalk up another offbeat entry for the whiskey world . From the Cognac region of France comes a little something called Bastille 1789, a French-grain blended . whiskey This is quite a departure for a country best known for producing wine and liqueurs , although in recent years the creation of Grey Goose and Ciroc vodkas and Citadelle gin , all respected products , have broadened the French . portfolio The Bastille 1789 has a mashbill of barley and wheat grown in the northeast of France , an area that has long supplied barley for some Scottish distillers . It is fermented in Cognac with water from a spring in the Grand

  • Something to try in your spare time

    Updated: 2012-03-08 17:50:00
    To Dowd's Wine Notebook latest entry.To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.Back to Dowd's Guides home page.

  • Join me for a chat and a tasting on public radio

    Updated: 2012-03-08 17:37:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120308 Join me for a chat and a tasting on public radio Regular listeners of WAMC Northeast Public Radio's The Roundtable may have come across wine and beer tastings done on the air . The scope will be broadened to include spirits when I visit with host Joe Donahue next Thursday , March 15. In addition to talking about my new book , Barrels Drams : The History of Whisk(e y In Jiggers and Shots , I'll be bringing along some whiskies you won't usually come across , and we'll be sampling them and sharing our reactions . So , be sure you have pencil and paper OK , you can use tech gadgets to make notes if you must to jot down the names of these unusual . spirits The Roundtable

  • The whisk(e)y season is dear to Ireland, Scotland

    Updated: 2012-03-07 19:25:00
    : , Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120307 The whisk(e y season is dear to Ireland , Scotland The portal is about to open on a season dear to the Celtic folk of Ireland and Scotland and , indeed , their millions of descendants all over the U.S . Canada , Australia and . elsewhere March 20 will bring in Alban Eiler known elsewhere as the spring solstice or vernal equinox when day and night are the same length . Weather be damned , it means spring has arrived and will last until June 20, the longest day of the year , when we will encounter Alban Heruin the summer solstice . The winter solstice is Alban Arthuan the autumn solstice Alban Elved In between Eiler and Heruin we have such frolics as St . Patrick's

  • Grant & Sons releases Madeira-finish single malt

    Updated: 2012-03-07 17:10:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120307 Grant Sons releases Madeira-finish single malt The Scottish distillery William Grant Sons has just released a new . product Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish is a 19 year old single malt whisky . It was matured in new and refill oak casks , then re-racked into casks that were used for maturing Madeira , a sweet fortified . wine The whisky is presented in a black glass bottle with a red cartouche compass , inside a display box decorated with illustrations that show the travels of Portuguese . explorers The company says the Madeira cask finish celebrates the pioneering spirit of Portuguese explorers in the 15th Century . Madeira is the name of a North

  • Bushmills releases honey-touched whiskey

    Updated: 2012-03-05 21:36:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120305 Bushmills releases honey-touched whiskey Bushmills Irish Whiskey today announced the release of Bushmills Irish Honey , the latest such product dropped in that niche in the world . market The new expression is based on Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey , a triple-distilled product of malted Irish barley and pure Irish water . It has an added touch of Irish honey and other natural flavors that creates a new aroma and warmer . finish In creating Bushmills Irish Honey , I wanted to make a blend that had a smooth finish enhanced by warm characteristics , and that maintained the great taste and aroma of our original blend , said Colum Egan , Bushmills master distiller .

  • Time to cut Michigan’s wholesale alcohol monopolies

    Updated: 2012-03-05 20:44:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120305 Time to cut Michigan’s wholesale alcohol monopolies This commentary was written by the director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy , a research and educational institute headquartered in Midland , . MI By Michael D . LaFaive State policymakers will reform Michigan’s antiquated alcohol regulations this year if Gov . Rick Snyder adopts ideas submitted by a liquor reform advisory panel he created months . ago Change is certainly needed in particular , the state effectively grants monopolies to a few lucky private , for-profit beer and wine wholesalers . These regulatory privileges should be struck from state law in the name

  • Push is on to let NH groceries sell spirits

    Updated: 2012-03-05 20:17:00
    : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120305 Push is on to let NH groceries sell spirits From Eagle-Tribune.com New Hampshire residents may soon be able to stop by their local convenience store to pick up a bottle of . booze If House Bill 1251 becomes law , the state would no longer have total control over the sale of most distilled spirits . The Granite State's grocery and convenience stores are only allowed to sell beer and . wine But Rep . John Hikel , R-Goffstown , intends to change that . It's all about commerce and convenience , Hikel says . And increasing cross-border sales , some . say Hikel is having trouble convincing the state Liquor Commission to back his bill . It claims the change could cost the

  • Nebraska: Tax flavored malt beverages

    Updated: 2012-03-04 20:03:00
    : : Dowd's Spirits Notebook William M . Dowd reports and comments on distilled beverages globally a Dowd's Guides site 20120304 Nebraska : Tax flavored malt beverages From the Omaha World-Herald LINCOLN , NE State liquor officials were weighing their options after groups battling underage drinking won a major victory in the Nebraska Supreme . Court The court ruled that flavored malt beverages , such as Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice , should be taxed as liquor rather than . beer Diane Riibe , executive director of Project Extra Mile , said she was beyond ecstatic about the . outcome Justice came today for Nebraska's children and taxpayers , she said . Friday Her group has long argued that higher taxes would discourage youngsters from drinking the fruity , sweet beverages , which

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